I've been up since early this Saturday morning...much earlier than I prefer! Andrew and the boys had to be on the road to our former hometown at 7:15 this morning, so a very early wake up call in our lives. We are kind of getting used to it though.
We had some added stress placed on us this week. At 4:00 yesterday we learned that the storage units we had been using have been sold and we need to have it emptied pronto. My mom also has two units, so that is four units all together. While the short notice is extremely inconvenient, I can't complain terribly much because this involves where my Dad worked so we've never had to pay storage fees. Unfortunately, this has to be done Monday-Friday, and Andrew and Thomas leave for scout camp Sunday. They will be coming home Tuesday night so that we can get this done Wednesday. Because there are four storage units, we've rented a uhaul, and are just hoping and praying that we can somehow make everything fit here in our garages because Mom just can't deal with it right now. It is definitely added stress (and expense) that we don't need right now, but again, I really can't complain about it.
I can see that summer is going to draw to a rapid close. There aren't too many empty squares on our calendar in the next five weeks. We've learned that Andrew's parents are coming for a few weeks in August, and I'm selfishly hoping that they might allow us a night away and have them keep the kids. I guess we'll see. Not really sure we should be spending money on that, but at the same time relaxing is a must!
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Thursday, July 10, 2014
One year ago today
At almost exactly this time one year ago, we had "officially" begun our house search. We were looking at several houses with a realtor and thinking we would be moving this summer. How wrong we were! This house wasn't even on our list, but it fit our needs so well in our price range...and got us here by the start of last school year (although barely!). We made many phone calls to family members, especially those here in town, and Mom and the Grandmas made arrangements to come down and see it the next day. I regret that Dad never got to see it here, but I know that he knew we really liked it here. I remember trying to sleep that night, and getting up to go downstairs because I was crying so hard and didn't want to wake Andrew. I knew it was going to be a good move, but I was so very sad about what I knew I would be leaving behind.
And I was right in that regard. I loved the subbing job I had there, and we had amazing friends. We are learning that we aren't sure that we are going to be able to replicate the friendships here. It is something we have come to accept. It's still been a great move. I am so grateful for this house which is so much more functional than our old one, and I especially love having a lot that is .55 acres...the kids are having a blast, and honestly, so do we!
In the meantime, it's been a hell of a year. Even then, I can see the blessings in this move. With Mom being sick now and needing so much help, I can't imagine how we could've managed to move this summer. Our house sold fairly quickly, and we got almost our entire asking amount (even though it was significantly less than what we had paid thanks to the housing market). I can't imagine having worried about Andrew on the roads this past winter, and it made Robert's activities here so much more manageable...and gave Catherine and Thomas additional opportunities as well.
Realizing that this journey began exactly one year ago really points to how much life can change in a year!
And I was right in that regard. I loved the subbing job I had there, and we had amazing friends. We are learning that we aren't sure that we are going to be able to replicate the friendships here. It is something we have come to accept. It's still been a great move. I am so grateful for this house which is so much more functional than our old one, and I especially love having a lot that is .55 acres...the kids are having a blast, and honestly, so do we!
In the meantime, it's been a hell of a year. Even then, I can see the blessings in this move. With Mom being sick now and needing so much help, I can't imagine how we could've managed to move this summer. Our house sold fairly quickly, and we got almost our entire asking amount (even though it was significantly less than what we had paid thanks to the housing market). I can't imagine having worried about Andrew on the roads this past winter, and it made Robert's activities here so much more manageable...and gave Catherine and Thomas additional opportunities as well.
Realizing that this journey began exactly one year ago really points to how much life can change in a year!
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Mom did well
The procedure for having Mom's picc line put in went really well. It was such a relief to have it finished and to have everything happen so smoothly.
Today is a day where I am very aware of life's many blessings...and I'm grateful for them. I could allow myself to be stressed over some smaller things that are happening, but instead, I'm just choosing to be grateful for the blessings that are my family (which includes our three furry friends as well)!
Today is a day where I am very aware of life's many blessings...and I'm grateful for them. I could allow myself to be stressed over some smaller things that are happening, but instead, I'm just choosing to be grateful for the blessings that are my family (which includes our three furry friends as well)!
Monday, July 7, 2014
Hopefully a calm week
I am hoping this week is fairly uneventful, although that might truly be wishful thinking. It's not that we don't have things scheduled, it's just that it doesn't feel like every single second is scheduled.
We enjoyed our weekend, and especially our visit with our out-of-town friends. It was really an evening that we didn't want to end...it was like old times again with these special people. Yesterday was my aunt's pool party. There were a couple that had to work and others that weren't there and it just wasn't the same as it had been in years past. Maybe next year it will be back to the way it was.
This evening Andrew is going to the Reds game with friends, and tomorrow morning mom has a procedure being done so I have to be on the road at 7AM (ugh!). Robert & Catherine had cross country this morning and tomorrow they have their volunteer assignments at the park while I'm taking Mom. Thursday is a doctor appointment for Thomas (and also one for our cats) volunteering AND cross country for the older two, and I've completely forgotten some meetings along the way as well. So not a totally care free week, but better than it's been!
We enjoyed our weekend, and especially our visit with our out-of-town friends. It was really an evening that we didn't want to end...it was like old times again with these special people. Yesterday was my aunt's pool party. There were a couple that had to work and others that weren't there and it just wasn't the same as it had been in years past. Maybe next year it will be back to the way it was.
This evening Andrew is going to the Reds game with friends, and tomorrow morning mom has a procedure being done so I have to be on the road at 7AM (ugh!). Robert & Catherine had cross country this morning and tomorrow they have their volunteer assignments at the park while I'm taking Mom. Thursday is a doctor appointment for Thomas (and also one for our cats) volunteering AND cross country for the older two, and I've completely forgotten some meetings along the way as well. So not a totally care free week, but better than it's been!
Saturday, July 5, 2014
The holiday weekend
My dad never preferred for the 4th to fall on a Friday...he would always rather have Monday off on a long weekend...but at least it adds to the weekend! Of course we kind of laugh...the joy of summers in our house is that it really doesn't matter what day of the week it is!
I stayed with my mom again Thursday night, although overall she is doing better. Last evening we ventured to some friends house for a cook-out. I felt badly that we couldn't stay longer, but I was just absolutely exhausted. Unfortunately, we didn't get to go home after we left as we had planned. Through various family members, I learned that the phone lines in my hometown were completely down. This meant that there was a chance, if no one had checked on my mom, that she needed something and couldn't get a hold of anyone. I tried calling the cells of a few family members, but no one answered, and since we were only about 20 minutes away at our friends' house, we just drove on. I also called my aunt here to see if she had spoken to my paternal grandmother who is also having health problems, and she had not. So we showed up completely unexpectedly at houses last evening checking on family members. Grandma wasn't even aware that her phone wasn't working, so I'm glad we checked on her so she could know to have her cell phone near her. Mom had charged her phone, and GG was going to stay over with her which was safer for both...Mom had someone with her, and GG wasn't sleeping in a house without means of contacting anyone (she has no cell). Much later than we had hoped we were on our way home, but I was glad I wasn't worrying.
Today we are cleaning the house and friends are coming into town for dinner. We are especially excited to see our friends from Missouri. They haven't seen our house yet and we are grateful they are making the trip over! Tomorrow is my aunt's annual pool party. It's probably going to be a little emotional...of course we are going to miss my dad who made the trip down every year, even last year when it was so very difficult for him. Grandma also won't be able to make it because of her health issues, and of course Mom won't be there either. I know that we will have fun, but we are going to miss those who aren't with us!
I stayed with my mom again Thursday night, although overall she is doing better. Last evening we ventured to some friends house for a cook-out. I felt badly that we couldn't stay longer, but I was just absolutely exhausted. Unfortunately, we didn't get to go home after we left as we had planned. Through various family members, I learned that the phone lines in my hometown were completely down. This meant that there was a chance, if no one had checked on my mom, that she needed something and couldn't get a hold of anyone. I tried calling the cells of a few family members, but no one answered, and since we were only about 20 minutes away at our friends' house, we just drove on. I also called my aunt here to see if she had spoken to my paternal grandmother who is also having health problems, and she had not. So we showed up completely unexpectedly at houses last evening checking on family members. Grandma wasn't even aware that her phone wasn't working, so I'm glad we checked on her so she could know to have her cell phone near her. Mom had charged her phone, and GG was going to stay over with her which was safer for both...Mom had someone with her, and GG wasn't sleeping in a house without means of contacting anyone (she has no cell). Much later than we had hoped we were on our way home, but I was glad I wasn't worrying.
Today we are cleaning the house and friends are coming into town for dinner. We are especially excited to see our friends from Missouri. They haven't seen our house yet and we are grateful they are making the trip over! Tomorrow is my aunt's annual pool party. It's probably going to be a little emotional...of course we are going to miss my dad who made the trip down every year, even last year when it was so very difficult for him. Grandma also won't be able to make it because of her health issues, and of course Mom won't be there either. I know that we will have fun, but we are going to miss those who aren't with us!
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Our couple of days away
We left Monday morning and drove directly to our state house...the thing Andrew was most looking foward to. We were able to take a tour, and I'm sure the other family that was with us was not pleased to learn they were with social studies geeks! Honestly though, it was a lot of fun and we all learned a lot. We are blessed with an amazing building in which to run our state. Dinner that evening was at Outback with dessert following at Graeter's (some of the best ice cream in the state) and then a dip in the pool before bed.
Tuesday morning we ventured further east to Roscoe Village, a restored canal town. It was at least my fourth visit there, dating back to my childhood when we made the trip with my family. Of course things change over time, and again, lots of things we already knew being social studies geeks, but there was still a lot to be learned and a lot of fun was had.
Unfortunately, it was on the way back to the hotel after we regained a cell signal that I received word about my grandmother. I really wanted to just sit down and have a good cry, but that didn't seem prudent in front of the kids. It all just feels so overwhelming right now...not to mention that Mom still needs someone with her most of the time, and I just don't know how I can make everything happen without something getting short changed. It was a tough pill to swallow.
But, life with kids helps to keep us resilient. We stopped at a Max & Erma's on the way for dinner, and ice cream sundaes for dessert and lots of laughter during dinner put smiles back on our faces. We tried for a quick dip in the pool again, but thunder was a sign to get out after only five minutes, and it rained most of the rest of the night.
We decided yesterday morning that we would pack up and head home since a) there wasn't really anything we wanted to do today and b) Mom was still needing someone to stay with her and I needed to do my share. Our last stop yesterday was the Zoo...and it is one of the best in the country! On the downside, we received a call from the mechanics working on my husband's car, and it seems as though a replacement vehicle might be in our more-nearer-than-we-had-planned-and-hoped future. I'll be honest, my anxiety levels are pretty darn high right now.
The zoo though, was so much fun. The kids loved seeing all of the animals, and while it was HOT, HOT, and HOTTER, there is a tremendous amount of shade and we were really impressed with that. We took a ride that was supposed to be finding "lost" dinosaurs, and they had giant mechanical replications of such things. Thomas, however, was none too pleased about this. At age ten, we thought he would be past his fears of something that he knows isn't real, but not so much it turns out. It was very sweet and little annoying, all at the same time. My favorite animal was seeing the gorillas. By the time we got to the polar bears, we had been out in the heat about four hours and Thomas especially, was beginning to wilt. We were home by dinner and I'm grateful I was able to get a good night sleep in my own bed before I head up to care for Mom tonight.
While the financial aspect of things is causing my great anxiety thanks to the vehicle situation (and I know it will all work out), I am very grateful we were able to make some memories these last couple of days!
Tuesday morning we ventured further east to Roscoe Village, a restored canal town. It was at least my fourth visit there, dating back to my childhood when we made the trip with my family. Of course things change over time, and again, lots of things we already knew being social studies geeks, but there was still a lot to be learned and a lot of fun was had.
Unfortunately, it was on the way back to the hotel after we regained a cell signal that I received word about my grandmother. I really wanted to just sit down and have a good cry, but that didn't seem prudent in front of the kids. It all just feels so overwhelming right now...not to mention that Mom still needs someone with her most of the time, and I just don't know how I can make everything happen without something getting short changed. It was a tough pill to swallow.
But, life with kids helps to keep us resilient. We stopped at a Max & Erma's on the way for dinner, and ice cream sundaes for dessert and lots of laughter during dinner put smiles back on our faces. We tried for a quick dip in the pool again, but thunder was a sign to get out after only five minutes, and it rained most of the rest of the night.
We decided yesterday morning that we would pack up and head home since a) there wasn't really anything we wanted to do today and b) Mom was still needing someone to stay with her and I needed to do my share. Our last stop yesterday was the Zoo...and it is one of the best in the country! On the downside, we received a call from the mechanics working on my husband's car, and it seems as though a replacement vehicle might be in our more-nearer-than-we-had-planned-and-hoped future. I'll be honest, my anxiety levels are pretty darn high right now.
The zoo though, was so much fun. The kids loved seeing all of the animals, and while it was HOT, HOT, and HOTTER, there is a tremendous amount of shade and we were really impressed with that. We took a ride that was supposed to be finding "lost" dinosaurs, and they had giant mechanical replications of such things. Thomas, however, was none too pleased about this. At age ten, we thought he would be past his fears of something that he knows isn't real, but not so much it turns out. It was very sweet and little annoying, all at the same time. My favorite animal was seeing the gorillas. By the time we got to the polar bears, we had been out in the heat about four hours and Thomas especially, was beginning to wilt. We were home by dinner and I'm grateful I was able to get a good night sleep in my own bed before I head up to care for Mom tonight.
While the financial aspect of things is causing my great anxiety thanks to the vehicle situation (and I know it will all work out), I am very grateful we were able to make some memories these last couple of days!
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Home a day early
We had a wonderful couple of days away, but we came home a day early. We had accomplished everything we wanted to accomplish, and the fact that the motel was having issues with fire alarms made us decide we didn't want to try and sleep there tonight. There is also the fact that I found out my paternal grandmother was in the e/r yesterday. Initially, they thought that something had happened with her hip replacement from a few years ago. However, her surgeon decided not to see her and instead wants her to have blood work and a bone scan. I am terrified that he is thinking something such as leukemia. I'm just not sure how my family can handle that right now.
But back to happy things, I think we all had a really good time. We are absolutely exhausted because we were very "on the go" while we were gone, and it's HOT out there. I'll recap tomorrow, but we are looking forward to sleeping well tonight!
But back to happy things, I think we all had a really good time. We are absolutely exhausted because we were very "on the go" while we were gone, and it's HOT out there. I'll recap tomorrow, but we are looking forward to sleeping well tonight!
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